Finance Officer job vacancy at World Food Programme

Job Title: Finance Officer

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency against world hunger. WFP is the largest and longest serving humanitarian agency in Uganda. Currently, WFP focuses on three priority areas namely: Emergency Humanitarian Action (EHA); Food & Nutrition Security (FNS); and Agriculture & Market Support (AMS). WFP has operations in various parts of the Country.

Job Summary: The UN WFP Finance Officer will be responsible for accounts maintenance, payment run and conducting Bank reconciliation functions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Guide and support the Finance and Administrative Officer on financial matters;
Ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations;
Ensure transparent and efficient utilisation of WFP’s financial resources;
Offer regular and ad hoc financial information to the Country Director to support informed financial decision making;
Actively participate in preparing the WFP biennium budgets, budget implementation, monitoring and act as Certifying Officer of the Country Office;
Intuitively monitor and advise the Country Director on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets, contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure, contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expected);
Propose, develop and implement financial policies and procedures;
Set up proper accounting procedures and systems, internal controls to ensure that proper monitoring mechanisms are in place; identify weaknesses and address them immediately;
Ensure that bank reconciliations for WFP accounts are regularly performed and regularly reviewed by designated officials;
Ensure that disbursements are made based on proper authorisations and supported by legitimate and sufficient documentation;
Ensure proper maintenance of vendor accounts and timely clearance of outstanding advances and other receivables;
Coordinate the financial closure for entrusted imprest accounts;
Respond to audit queries and follow up on audit recommendations;
Ensure efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations;
Ensure integrity and consistency of data in WFP financial and accounting systems;
Draft correspondence and internal procedural directives relating to budgetary and financial matters;
Actively contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make the necessary recommendations.
Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken;
Supervise staff as required;
Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) job should hold an advanced University degree (masters or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields; or University degree in the same subject(s) obtained from a recognized institution;
Membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) or equivalent;
Three or more (3) years of postgraduate professional experience in Finance gained from a reputable organization;
General working knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration;
Good knowledge and skills Microsoft office applications plus the WFP financial software;
Excellent command of both spoken and written English is vital.

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified Ugandan nationals are encouraged to send their applications together with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates under confidential cover quoting on the envelop the vacancy announcement number and name of the applicant to:

The Human Resources Officer, UN World Food Programme, P.O. Box 7159 Kampala. Uganda or

Hand delivers it to a box at the reception of WFP Offices at plot 17-19, Clement Hill Road.

The applicants should check on the Notice Board at the main entrance to confirm that their applications have been received one week after the closing date.

Applications must be received by the deadline and only short listed candidates shall be contacted.

Deadline: Thursday, 13th November 2014